China peddling fake news to sway Taiwan voters

Taiwanese officials have accused China of attempting to swing the island’s election in favor of candidates that Beijing sees as favorable to advance its political interests in the region.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said that the Chinese government has launched a Russia-style campaign, using social media and other internet platforms to drive voters away from President Tsai Ing-wen's party, which opposes Beijing’s “one China principle,” notes Al Jazeera.

Taiwan officials have spotted regular feeds of disinformation on social media, aimed at maligning the current administration and creating public opinion in favor leaders sympathetic to China ahead of crucial elections on Saturday, writes The New York Times.